Shoe Packaging Assembly Having Transparent Mildew-Resistant Bag

ABSTRACT

A shoe packaging assembly includes at least one shoe, a shoe box, and a transparent mildew-resistant bag disposed in the shoe box. The mildew-resistant bag includes a bag body receiving the shoe and having a closable opening for insertion and removal of the shoe into and from the bag body, and a desiccant unit disposed in the bag body. The desiccant unit includes a light-transmissive desiccant pouch formed with a plurality of micropores, and a desiccant disposed in the light-transmissive desiccant pouch. The micropores are sized to permit passage of moisture therethrough but prevent passage of the desiccant therethrough.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 103106832, filed on Feb. 27, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a shoe packaging assembly, more particularly a shoe packaging assembly having a transparent mildew-resistant bag.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional way of packaging a pair of shoes 91. The shoes 91 are first wrapped in a packaging paper 92, and are then placed in a shoe box 93. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of the shoe boxes 93 are placed in a corrugated carton 94 for shipment in a container (not shown). Because of the presence of moisture content in the shoes 91, the shoe box 93 and the packaging paper 92, growth of mildew in the environment can be promoted. It is not possible to judge through the naked eye the humidity of the shoes 91, the shoe box 93 and the packaging paper 92 during packaging.

Further, during transport, because rain or water may leak into the container, the corrugated carton 94 near the door of the container may become damp; or, because of intrusion of water vapor from the ocean causing change in temperature inside the container, the corrugated carton 94 near an inner wall of the container may become damp. Any of these events causes the shoes 91 to become damp. Since the shoes 91 are made of leather which is processed from animal hides, or from a woven or plastic material, once damp, the shoes 91 easily breed mold or mildew. Moreover, because of recent global warming, the temperature during transport is always in the range of 22-23° C. which is suitable for breeding mold, so that the shoes 91 generate mildew, and cannot be sold. Not only is the property damaged, but also the goodwill of the shoe manufacturer is adversely affected.

Although some manufacturers use a vacuum packaging method to prevent the product from generating mildew, the shoes 91, however, are squeezed during vacuum packaging, thereby affecting the appearance thereof. Hence, the vacuum packaging method is not suitable for use in packaging the shoes 91.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a shoe packaging assembly having a transparent mildew-resistant bag that is capable of overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

Accordingly, a shoe packaging assembly comprises at least one shoe, a shoe box, and a transparent mildew-resistant bag. The transparent mildew-resistant bag is disposed in the shoe box and includes a bag body receiving the shoe and having a closable opening for insertion and removal of the shoe into and from the bag body, and a desiccant unit disposed in the bag body. The desiccant unit includes a light-transmissive desiccant pouch formed with a plurality of micropores, and a desiccant disposed in the light-transmissive desiccant pouch. The micropores are sized to permit passage of moisture therethrough but prevent passage of the desiccant therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional way of packaging a pair of shoes;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plurality of shoe boxes being placed in a corrugated carton;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transparent mildew-resistant bag of a shoe packaging assembly according to the first preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a desiccant unit of the transparent mildew-resistant bag of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating corresponding relation between the desiccant unit and a view window of the shoe box;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the desiccant unit of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a transparent mildew-resistant bag of a shoe packaging assembly according to the second preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the second preferred embodiment, illustrating corresponding relation between the desiccant unit and a view window of the shoe box;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a transparent mildew-resistant bag of a shoe packaging assembly according to the third preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of FIG. 10, illustrating how the desiccant unit may be inserted into a bag body of the transparent mildew-resistant bag via a hole therein;

FIG. 12 is an assembled perspective view of the third preferred embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a transparent mildew-resistant bag of a shoe packaging assembly according to the fourth preferred embodiment of this invention, illustrating a mildew-resistant member and a desiccant unit of the transparent mildew-resistant bag being disposed in a bag body thereof; and

FIG. 14 illustrates the mildew-resistant member being disposed in a light-transmissive desiccant pouch of the desiccant unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted herein that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, a shoe packaging assembly according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of shoes 3, a shoe box 2, a mildew-resistant bag 4, and a divider 6.

The shoe box 2 includes a view window 21 provided on one sidewall 22 thereof. In this embodiment, the view window 21 includes a hole 211 and a transparent film 212 sealing the hole 211.

The mildew-resistant bag 4 may be transparent or semi-transparent, is disposed in the shoe box 2, and includes a bag body 41 receiving the pair of shoes 3 and having a closable opening 42 for insertion and removal of the shoes 3 into and from the bag body 41, a handle portion 44 provided on the bag body 41 in proximity to the closable opening 42 to facilitate carrying of the bag 4, a marked portion 45 provided on an inner surface of the bag body 41 opposite to the closable opening 42 and corresponding in position with the view window 21, and a desiccant unit 5 disposed in the bag body 41. The closable opening 42 is provided with a zip portion 43 to close or open the same. The handle portion 44 has two slots 441 formed in two opposite sides of the bag body 42 between a top end of the bag 4 and the zip portion 43. The marked portion 45 has a box shape. In this embodiment, the bag body 41 is made of plastic and has a waterproof effect. Alternatively, the bag body 41 may be made of waterproof fabric or a biodegradable environmentally friendly material, for example, polylactic acid (PLA).

The desiccant unit 5 includes a light-transmissive desiccant pouch 51 formed with a plurality of micropores 52, and a mixture of desiccant 53 and a humidity indicator 54 disposed in the desiccant pouch 51. The micropores 52 are sized to permit passage of moisture therethrough but prevent passage of the desiccant 53 and the humidity indicator 54 therethrough. In this embodiment, the desiccant unit 5 is fixed on the marked portion 45 using an adhesive or tape. The desiccant pouch 51 may be a transparent or semi-transparent plastic bag or a light, thin, transparent non-woven bag. The desiccant 53 is Type A silica gel. The humidity indicator 54 may be one of cobalt chloride, ferrous ammonium sulfate, copper chloride, and ferric ammonium sulfate. It should be noted that the material of each of the desiccant 53 and the humidity indicator 54 is not limited to the aforesaid disclosures, and may be replaced by other materials which can achieve the same effects. Further, the desiccant unit 5 may not include the humidity indicator 54, and the desiccant 53 may be made of a material that can absorb moisture and change color according to the amount of the absorbed moisture.

The divider 6 is disposed in the bag body 41 between the pair of shoes 3 to prevent mutual abrasion between the same. In this embodiment, the divider 6 is a separation paper.

To use the shoe packaging assembly of this embodiment, the desiccant unit 5 is first adhered on the marked portion 45 of the bag body 41, after which the pair of shoes 3 are placed in the bag body 41 and the divider 6 is disposed between the shoes 3 to separate the same. Next, the zip portion 43 is operated to seal the closable opening 42, and through the handle portion 44, the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 can be lifted and placed in the shoe box 2 such that the desiccant unit 5 corresponds to the view window 21 in position. Hence, packaging of the shoes 3 is completed. At this time, the shoe box 2 can be stored. Prior to delivery, the color change of the desiccant unit 5 is first observed through the view window 21 of the shoe box 2 to find out if the humidity in the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 is suitable for long storage during delivery. If suitable, the shoe box 2 is then placed in an outer carton for shipment. During delivery, even if the outer carton becomes damp, because the bag body 41 of the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 has a waterproof function, the shoes 3 are protected from becoming damp and are prevented from generating mildew.

It should be noted that the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 may receive only one of the pair of shoes 3. A similar effect may also be achieved.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the desiccant unit 5 may include the light-transmissive desiccant pouch 51 for receiving the desiccant 53 (see FIG. 4), and an indicator pouch 50 for receiving the humidity indicator 54 (see FIG. 4) and attached to the desiccant pouch 51. The indicator pouch 50 has an elongated observation window 501 to allow observation of color change of the humidity indicator 54 therein. During assembly, the desiccant unit 5 is fixed on the marked portion 45 such that the indicator pouch 50 faces the view window 21 of the shoe box 2 when the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 is placed in the shoe box 2.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a shoe packaging assembly according to the second preferred embodiment of this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the view window 21 of the shoe box 2 is a hole 211, and the bag body 41 of the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 has a plurality of apertures 411 which are sized to permit passage of air and water vapor therethrough.

To use the shoe packaging assembly of this embodiment, the desiccant unit 5 is first adhered on the marked portion 45 of the bag body 41, after which the pair of shoes 3 are placed in the bag body 41 and the divider 6 is disposed between the shoes 3 to separate the same. Next, the zip portion 43 is operated to seal the closable opening 42. At this time, air and water vapor in the bag body 41 can be discharged via the apertures 411, thereby preventing the bag body 41 to expand. Through the handle portion 44, the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 can be lifted and placed in the shoe box 2 such that the desiccant unit 5 corresponds to the view window 21 in position. Hence, packaging of the shoes 3 is completed, and the shoe box 2 can be stored.

It should be noted that because the apertures 411 are sized to permit passage of air and water vapor therethrough, when the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 becomes damp, water cannot enter the bag 4 via the apertures 411. Hence, the shoes 3 are similarly protected from becoming damp and are prevented from generating mildew.

The advantages and effects of the first preferred embodiment can be similarly achieved using the second preferred embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, a shoe packaging assembly according to the third preferred embodiment of this invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the shoe box 2 is dispensed with the view window 21 (see FIGS. 5 and 6), and the bag body 41 is dispensed with the marked portion 45 (see FIG. 3). Further, the bag body 41 has a hole 412 for insertion of the desiccant unit 5 therethrough, and the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 further includes an airtight member 46 to seal the hole 412. A surface of the airtight member 46 may be printed with a logo.

To use the shoe packaging assembly of this embodiment, the desiccant unit 5 is first disposed in the bag body 41, followed by the pair of shoes 3, and then the divider 6 which separates the shoes 3. Next, the zip portion 43 is operated to seal the bag opening 42. At this time, air and water vapor in the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 can be discharged via the hole 412, thereby preventing the bag body 41 to expand. The hole 412 is then sealed using the airtight member 46. Through the handle portion 44, the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 can be lifted and placed in the shoe box 2. Hence, packaging of the shoes 3 is completed, and the shoe box 2 can be stored. It should be noted that if the desiccant unit 5 is not disposed in the bag body 41 initially, the desiccant unit 5 may be inserted into the bag body 41 via the hole 412 after the closable opening 42 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 13, a shoe packaging assembly according to the fourth preferred embodiment of this invention is shown to be similar to the third preferred embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 further includes a mildew-resistant member 7 disposed in the bag body 41. The mildew-resistant member 7 is made by extracting a variety of plants having ingredients with a mildew-resistant effect and fermenting through a special ratio to obtain essential oil, and adhering the essential oil to a multilayered film/paper or a multilayered patch after undergoing molecularization, high pressure, heating, vibrating, and standing processes. The material of the multilayered patch complies with the environmental protection. It should be noted that if the mildew-resistant member 7 is a multilayered film/paper, the mildew-resistant member 7 can be inserted into the bag body 41 via the hole 412 (see FIG. 10); and if the mildew-resistant member 7 is a multilayered patch, the mildew-resistant member 7 can be directly adhered to the inner surface of the bag body 41.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the mildew-resistant member 7 may be disposed in the light-transmissive desiccant pouch 51, after which the light-transmissive desiccant pouch 51 is placed in the bag body 41.

The advantages and effects of the third preferred embodiment can be similarly achieved using the fourth preferred embodiment.

In summary, by using the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 to pack the shoes 3 and with the presence of the desiccant unit 5 in the bag body 41, firstly, prior to delivery, the humidity in the transparent mildew-resistant bag 4 can be observed in advance to find out if it is suitable for long storage during delivery to prevent the shoes 3 from generating mildew. Secondly, during delivery, the mildew-resistant bag 4 can prevent intrusion of external moisture. Finally, during delivery, the color change of the desiccant unit 5 is directly observed to find out if there is change in humidity in the mildew-resistant bag 4 due to damaged thereof. Hence, the effect of controlling the quality of the shoes 3 during delivery can be facilitated. Therefore, the object of the present invention can be achieved.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretations and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoe packaging assembly comprising: at least one shoe; a shoe box; and a transparent or semi-transparent mildew-resistant bag disposed in said shoe box and including a bag body receiving said shoe and having a closable opening for insertion and removal of said shoe into and from said bag body, and a desiccant unit disposed in said bag body, said desiccant unit including a light-transmissive desiccant pouch formed with a plurality of micropores, and a desiccant disposed in said light-transmissive desiccant pouch, said micropores being sized to permit passage of moisture therethrough but prevent passage of said desiccant therethrough.
 2. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said bag body has a hole for insertion of said desiccant unit therethrough.
 3. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 2, wherein said transparent mildew-resistant bag further includes an airtight member to seal said hole.
 4. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said shoe box includes a view window, and said bag body further has a marked portion corresponding in position with said view window, said desiccant unit being disposed on said marked portion.
 5. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said desiccant unit further includes a humidity indicator disposed in said light-transmissive desiccant pouch and mixed with said desiccant.
 6. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said desiccant unit further includes an indicator pouch for receiving a humidity indicator and attached to said light-transmissive desiccant pouch.
 7. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein said indicator pouch has an observation window to allow observation of color change of the humidity indicator therein, said indicator pouch facing said view window when said desiccant unit is disposed on said marked portion.
 8. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein said view window is a hole.
 9. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein said view window includes a hole and a transparent film sealing said hole.
 10. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said shoe packaging assembly comprises a pair of said shoes, and further comprises a divider disposed in said bag body between the pair of said shoes.
 11. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said transparent mildew-resistant bag further includes a mildew-resistant member disposed in said bag body.
 12. The shoe packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein said shoe transparent mildew-resistant bag further includes a mildew-resistant member disposed in said light-transmissive desiccant pouch. 